How to Avoid the Most Expensive Mistakes First-Time eCommerce Founders Make
In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) break down the most expensive mistakes first-time founders make when trying to take their eCommerce dreams from “side hustle” to scalable business. From the messy realities of handling fulfillment yourself (yes, shipping nightmares are real) to the dangers of over-ordering inventory that ends up sitting in your garage, they share the hard-earned lessons most entrepreneurs wish they’d heard sooner.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why handling fulfillment wrong is the fastest way to stall growth.
- How to avoid the cash-flow killer of over-ordering inventory.
- When (and when not) to think about retail.
- The numbers you must know before you scale.
- The hiring mistakes that drain time, money, and morale.
- Why compliance and legal issues can’t be an afterthought.
- The value of a strong network and mentors to keep you sane.
- How to stay resilient when resistance is at its highest.
Whether you’re sketching your first product idea on a napkin or already wrestling with suppliers, this episode is a must-listen.
Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!
Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/
LiveRecover — Live Agents for eCommerce — Get more out of your revenue strategy with real-time SMS engagement and sales recovery for higher ROI. Learn more at https://www.LiveRecover.com
Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com
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00:00 Teaser Trailer
02:14 Welcome to the ASOM Pod
04:00 Mistakes in eCommerce: Fulfillment Challenges
16:54 Inventory Management and Cash Flow Issues
23:12 Distribution and Marketing Pitfalls
30:30 Financial Literacy and Marketing Spend
32:01 Team Hiring Mistakes
36:12 Legal and Compliance Issues
38:31 The Importance of Networking and Mentorship
41:06 Manufacturing and Supplier Relationships
45:50 Scaling Mistakes and Retail Challenges
51:57 Final Advice for New Entrepreneurs